Health & Human Services Department        News Release 

 Washington County awarded grant from Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

Improving access to mental health services for Washington County Veterans

West Bend, WI – Washington County Health & Human Services Department was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) to provide no-cost mental health services to Washington County veterans.  The check was presented today by WDVA Secretary James Bond at the county’s Behavioral Health clinic. The department’s outpatient clinic currently services those in the community who have Medicaid or are under or uninsured. 

Many veterans in the county do not have access to mental health services outside of the VA, which is in Milwaukee.  Improving access to services for veterans is the first goal of this pilot project, which aims to serve 10-20 veterans in the first year. 

Regardless of personal health insurance coverage, the grant will provide weekly-to-monthly therapy sessions, and medication management, as necessary, to interested veterans who are struggling with any number of life stressors.

“Local access to mental health services is critical for our Veteran population in the fight against substance abuse and suicide,” said Washington County Veterans Service Officer Kurt Rusch. “This partnership has great potential in our effort to meet Veterans where they are, and help them to transition back home successfully.”

A second goal of this grant is for the department to obtain credentialing with the VA Community Care Network.  This will allow the veterans who are linked with the counties outpatient clinic to continue services and expand access to many more veterans who may need support and services. 

County Executive Josh Schoemann said, “We appreciate receiving the state-funded grant to serve the mental health needs of more of our county’s veterans. Rates of trauma and mental health challenges are disproportionately high among our veterans and our role can help remove barriers to help provide access to treatment that will guide them to a healthy recovery. It also allows us to highlight important services available from the county Veterans Service Office to ensure the veterans get the help they may need.”

The Washington County Health & Human Services Department’s outpatient clinic has four full-time therapy providers and four part time prescribers on staff. Clinic hours are Monday and Wednesday 8am- 6pm, and Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8am- 4:30pm.

For information and access to care, please contact County Veterans Service Officer Kurt Rusch at

262-335-4457, during normal business hours.

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